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Time to reveal what I have been up to on those bitter cold days of February! Its nice and warm in my studio, coffee at hand, sleepy dog at my feet.

The Component of the Month this month was a lovely metal clay piece by Melissa Meman. It is from a stamp she carved herself; and I received a copper one. I was immediately drawn to the holes - an element of the design AND they go all the way through. I was debating between bead embroidery or a mixed media piece, using the holes for stitching...

I decided mixed media, and made a polymer piece to go behind and complement the metal clay. I imagined it with Swellegant patinas to replicate copper's patina over time. Here is the result:

Everything went EXACTLY according to plan... and I didnt like it. I felt the background pattern was detracting from Melissa's design. I had not addressed a bail. The stitching was great, but I cut it apart. Onward to plan B.

I cut Faux Bone in a shape that echoed the petal design in the metal clay. I was intending to stitch it too... but as the piece developed it was unnecessary. There are tube rivets at top and bottom to attach the metal clay disc and embellish the dangle area. I used alcohol ink on the FB. This is more pleasing to me aesthetically - the players support the lead now.

The necklace is finished with a gentle asymetry. One side has larger gems, wire wrapped red and blue tiger's eye. The smaller gems, sapphire quartz and blue calcedony, have copper bead cap accents and an additional strand of chain for visual interest and weight.

February is short and speedy. I realized that I hadn't blogged yet all month, and I have a lot to share. This month my show opened at the Palette and the Page in Elkton, MD. We had a fabulous opening on First Friday! So many friends attended, old and new, and I thank you all!

The timing of this show created a challenge for me. The ceramics studio where I work and fire larger pieces was closed from early December until the third week in January. I had started quite a few shrines, and some large sculptural figures... but it wasnt meant to be. I couldn't get them dry/fired/glazed/fired in time. So I turned to some orphans I had waiting patiently in my studio. These are pieces that were perfect; no flaws or faults... but they hadn't ever been completed with their interior elements. I was waiting inspiration, and this year it came! So I wanted to share a few of these with you.

"Hope springs eternal"

It all started with the hare, a carved boxwood netsuke bead. The polymer egg is the work of Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf. From the hare and the egg, symbols of spring in many cultures, the rest fell in place.

"Into the Woods"

This was loosely inspired by the topic of Red Riding Hood and a discussion that occurred on Terri Windling's blog. Terri is a Muse of mine, a fountain of folkore knowledge. The piece was carved with trees, intending to have a woodland theme. I sculpted polymer bread and a jug to go inside, referencing the items Red takes to Grandmother...

And so you see - pieces that were waiting for me. This altar (below left) was a blank slate. I decided I wanted to hang elements, but hadn't drilled holes before firing. The solution? Fabricate decorate wire hooks, or course. The bright butterfly piece shown below - that was dates 2011. The intense colors are not my usual palette, and it languished. But a polymer moth, hovering in from of a floral collage? Really visually pleasing to me...

This piece is a personal favorite, a successful blending of techniques. I have been happily seed beading and adding bead embroidery to my jewelry repertoire. I want to make the wearables and the sculptures cohesive as my body of work. Beading the bottle element in this shrine adds a level of detail and color. It also makes connections to jewelry pieces displayed in the show.

I hope people do get a chance to see the exhibit, which will remain up for this month. I am represented by the gallery, and do have other ceramic and mixed media pieces on display. Patti Paulus, one of the artist/owners created this wall for me. I was giddy!

January. It comes in with champagne and noise makers... and goes out with howling winds. At least here in Delaware!

This year, the AJE team wanted to start the year fresh. While we are still doing out Component of the Month give aways on the blog - we are mixing it up. January was "Use your stash" month, for lack of a prettier term. We are collectors of each others work, known to barter, buy and trade. So this month we decided to put the treasures to good use!

I wanted to make as many pieces as I could - and I'll share with you how far I got, and what I still have planned.

I love to make earrings. I had these pieces tucked away for a year and a half? The pair on the left, apple green boat shapes are paired with garnet and black spiniel. Lots of movement, a little bling. The pair on the right? Umm. That's a bracelet bar that I broke... and it was too pretty to lose. Its a matte teal glaze, very me, very earthy. I paired it with seed pods for their organic-ness and complementary warm color. (and turquoise in there too)

This lampwork glass cab from Sue is heavenly, metallic with silver across the surface like stars. Although it has warm honey colors in it - I wanted to go metallic from the start. I used seed beads in bronzes, crystal, and silver. The picot edge is bright silver beads, although its tough to photograph. The dangle is one of Melissa's metal clay pieces. I scooped up ALL the "little tiny shinies" that she had to trade at Beadfest. I adore them. I think it plays up the silver on the cab nicely.

I usually don't design things in a complimentary color palette. I prefer harmonious rather than "pop". But this necklace designed itself. The PC/MM focal is one of mine- with a vintage illustration under resin. It's many shades of blue with rust highlights. As I sat, treasure box of artist beads on my lap... there it all was. Kristen's beaded beads and Diana's stoneware beads were the same scale, making it easy to pair them in a balanced composition. Additional flowers to pull in the illustration itself...done. Really pleased with this one!

Start with a mini mint tin. Burn off the paint, sand it down. Then fill it with treasures! The sleepy fox bead of Rebekah's is nestled in hand dyed silk from my friends at Reyen Studios. The collage opposite incorporated vintage dictionary text, origami paper and Czech flower beads. The outside was done first - and it was going to be a winter fox asleep in the snow and ice. (Hence the crystal and blue...) So this is a prototype, guess I will have to keep it! I have a menagerie of creatures napping on my work table now... more of these forthcoming!

And then there were no more days left in January... but I am not done. Here is what I am going to showcase next:

Welcome 2015! I am glad to be back to books, and creating... and the "Inspired by Reading" book group community created by Andrew Thornton. I like these monthly challenges; a time to experiement, to challenge oneself, to try a new technique or play a bit. And while we may be far apart geographiclaly, its nice to "get together" virtually.

From Amazon: In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.

Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interst that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the dries and desires that propelled McCandless. Digging deeply, he takes an inherently compelling mystery and unravels the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons.

When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity , and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding--and not an ounce of sentimentality. Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.

I was familiar with this tragic tale, having seen the majority of the 2007 movie retelling. I did think this was a rather ominous depressing selection for the dead of winter, but I dove in... Here is my mixed media pendant "Looking within":

My piece starts with an open Nunn Design bezel. I cut copper and textured sections to be a stylized forest/wilderness. There is a sheet of mica directly behind the copper. The back piece is fabricated of polymer and contains a mirror. The mirror reflects the tree silhouettes, creating more forest volume - but also reflects a sliver of the viewer back to the self.

I was most struck by the fact that McCanndless seems to have found what he was looking for - and attempted to hike out. He was met with a river swollen with flood,and had to return to his bus/base camp. It was in that interim he ate/poisoned/sickened and died. He had found what he was looking for, he had turned to the wilderness in a way to turn within...

This piece, complete with mirror, is inspired by that looking within.

From the author: " Unlike Muir and Thoreau, McCandless went into the wilderness not primarily to ponder nature and the world at large but, rather, to explore the inner country of his own soul." ( pg 183)

I havent thought about the necklace portion of this piece yet... time wasnt in my favor. Perhaps woody, perhaps icy...

Please click over to Andrew's blog - the links and details of the in person meet up will be posted there!

Resolution: : the act or process of resolving: as a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones b : the act of answering :solvingc : the act of determiningRejuvenate: a : to make young or youthful again : give new vigor to b : to restore to an original or new state <rejuvenate old cars>

I would rather rejuvenate than resolve. I would rather breathe new vigor into a habit or pursuit than solve a problem. And so this year, I have made some changes for the better, a fresh start with the New Year... but I am reframing it all in a more positive fashion. Resolutions are notoriously short lived. And to me the term implies that something is broken and needs repair. It doesnt resonate in a positive way...

With the New Year, I have rejuvenated some practices in my life, things that I (for the most part) enjoy, and that are good for me - body and soul. January usually is a slower month for me as to work/production/teaching so I am prioritizing these parts of my day, these aspects of my life I want to become firmly entrenched habits.

The daily art journal.

Doodles, sketches, for me, not for an audience, nothing official. A record of my day, thoughts, actions, ideas. No goals other than to draw something. I will be posting here occassionally, but many may be private. Today is the 12th. As I write this there are eleven entries in my journal. So I will draw tonight, cuppa tea, TV on... because I havent missed a day yet. I signed up for a class "Sketching and Watercolor in the mixed media journal" with the incomparable Jane LaFazio - it starts Feb 1. My goal is to make it a habit, and then class will further encourage and challenge me!

Vision Board

This you only get a sneak peak - I know the premise, and I collage in my journal all the time. But this time its made real, manifesting my intentions for the year. On foam core, tacked up on my wall. I do think that seeing it will be a motivating visual reminder.

Reading. Research.

I have books everywhere. I love books. One thing I have struggled with for years as a self employed/work-from-home artist is reading. I feel like reading during the day is tabu. Daytime is for working. Well - the honest truth is that many of the titles pictured here will influence my work. So I devote more time to reading, and give myself permission! I am in 2 book groups - one virtual, one local - so there will be additional novels. But I know that my Muse will blossom when I feed her words, ideas, theories, history...

And the blog...

Last year there were more times than I would like to count when I posted only once a month. And that when it was a reveal for Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month! So I will tend to this here blog, and give it more attention. I relish comments; its nice to know yo uare out there... so please comment if you are so inclined. So far we are at one post a week; that will be my minimum!

Here's to a fruitful and creative 2015!

I hope you are all well and feeling fresh-faced, ready to tackle 2015. Personally I have "resolved" to do quite a few things... more on that in another post.

I've spent the limbo week between Christmas travels and now doing some cleaning and organizing. Out with the old, etc.

One piece of fabulousness from 2014 that needs to be attended to is the December Component of the month over at Art Jewelry Elements. We thought the timing would be best to start fresh with this reveal - showcasing a stoneware snowflake of Diana's!

Here is the scene: Mid December day. Fresh cuppa coffee in hand. Dog napping on bed in the studio. I sit down to work on gifts, and my COM... and there are flurries! The first of the year! Barely a dusting, didn't even cover the grass. But I was feeling festive...

Above is the work-in-progress shot as I planned my piece. Plexi on the left, a nickel silver banner from Beaducation, and a shrine window pair from Rings & Things. It all happened because I was so enjoying the flurries out my window...

The finished piece:

Stamped and patina/tumbled banner

Window framing handmade paper with silver leaf flecks. Tube riveted.

Loops of crystal and waxed linen at top. Seed bead loops with crystal at bottom.

I was going to hang it on the tree, but it was lost amidst the leaves. It hangs in the branches of my dryad sculpture - on the mantle behind me as I write this. I do think I will keep it out all winter long! I really enjoyed doing somehting not-clay, not-jewelry. It was a creative free-for-all, and very freeing.

I have big plans for this year - stay tuned here. But for now:

Please check out the pieces created by my AJE teamates and our guests. Let's ring in the new!

This is a favorite swap hop of mine!

Sally makes it festive, and keeps it small, personal. I was thrilled to get Patti's name as my partner; we are ARTBliss friends! I sent her a silly survey, to keep our emaill conversation going, and to harvest a few ideas...

And a silly Survey: 1. Fav beverage. 2. Fav color3. If you won a million dollars you would_____4. fav Xmas tradition/decoration. 5. Last good book you read

I took some of her answers ( blue & green, coffee) and made this:

Inspired by winter window landscapes, when you sit inside, snug, with a furry kid at your feet, and coffee in your hands, watching the snow sparkle. The trees dusted with glitter, a cardinal bright in the evergreen... I was on a felt jag this year, after finishing a crazy complicated felt/sequined/beaded stocking for my 9 mo. old nephew. His first Christmas - so exciting! Well, there was more felt, and embroidery floss... So there you have it.

Art beads:

And what did I receive, you ask? Gorgeousness!

It's too cool for the tree. It needs its own place, and is right now hanging in the dining room window. Heavy, luxurious wire wrapped nest/wreath! Adorable house charm from Marla/Marlas Mud! Lampwork bluebird from Donna Millard. And an embellished hanger/hook... I tell you Patti has outdone herself - this may stay up all year!

I'm sorry to be so brief today - I have presents to wrap... WAIT! I still have presents to finish making! And there are blogs to hop... please join us! The links of the partner/pairs are listed below. Happy Holidays everyone!

Hello blog. I have been neglecting you. When I last was here it was for the October COM reveal for Art Jewelry Elements.

Since then I ran away with the faeries:

and retreated to the (frigid) beach to immerse myself in seed beads:

I promise more on that later!

Today - I'm actually off at a show as you read this. The holiday show season is in full swing! And the gift making! Oh my. Sprinkle a few custom orders on the top of that - and I hope you understand why I have been neglecting you. Let me show you the eye candy that is the COM. Will that do?

Kristen selected these versatile beaded circles as her component of the month offering! I have worked with these before and love them. They can go in so many direction, so many applications...

My pair was in matte black and silver. They asked to be simple, and a bit celestial. Here is the result:

Dangles include a sterling spiral, a quartz crystal point and a hematite star on gunmetal chain. They are super light weight - and I think I get to keep them...

Present for me? Hmm. I hope your present making and shopping is going smoothly so far this season!

I want to introduce you to a new-to-me charity event called Beads of Courage. This year I was able to participate in this fundraiser; raising money for arts-in-medicine programs for children. As an art educator and advocate, I have seen the power that an arts experience can have on a child. At any age, at any time.

The charm swap and auction is a prodigious task, undertaken by Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions. (And my team mate at Art Jewelry Elements.) Participants made a dozen charms (or in my case 2 dozen!) and received an assortment back. Charms by each participant are being auctioned off, NOW! ( Click here.)

Beads of Courage 2014 theme: Soar!

Winged things, flitting, floating. Fairies? or their more earthy cousins - dragonflies and butterflies? Yes! These charms are hand carved, an entirely original offering. These original designs wer sculpted and carved in earthenware clay. A plaster mold preserved the image and multiple new charms can be pressed from soft clay. Each one is hand painted, and customized with "Soar" and date on the back.

Butterflies are symbolic of the soul in many cultures of the world. They are the agents of transformation, and ethereally beautiful. Their delicate wings allow them to flit, fly... and soar. Dragonflies are similar in many ways... and even represented the warrior spirit in Aztec Mexico!

But I was still inspired and signed up to do another batch! These are my newest love: the fusion of polymer and copper!

These unique mixed media charms combine polymer clay and copper. The copper shapes were cut, stamped, polished and tumbled to create the dark glowing patina. The polymer goes through the copper, holding itself in place with rounded top and bottom shapes - like a rivet! Textured impressed in the clay are accented with oils and acrylics.

Now - I have to tease you with images of SOME of the charms up for auction! These could be yours... Remember, I got a double batch!

FaerieCon is less than a week away. All my thoughts, energy, work this week and next are of the Fae variety. So when I sat down a week or so ago to work with this lovely focal from Karen of Starry Road Studio...

My first idea was all crazy complicated and it involved antique images and resin and mixing the media all up! The piece asked for simple. I wanted to make the most of the center opening. All I could hear in my head was a little voice asking: "What would a dryad wear?"

The focal to me conjures up the patterns of concentric tree rings, but it has a spiral as well. The warm brown/iron oxide color was perfect. The hole in the tree---- who lives there---- friend and companion to the dryad-----owl!